Beer Forum

In what category for competition would you enter a Moose Drool Clone? I don't think mine has enough American hop character or bitterness to do well as an American brown. I'm leaning toward Southern English Brown. What do y'all think?

You could enter both categories and see how it fares overall. Per the style guidelines, American brown doesn't have to have much hop character. Most of all it should taste of caramel and chocolate, with a bit of hops to give it a little something more. At least, that's my take on it.

<slight rant>That said, I do find it sad but true that many judges tend to over-score the over-hopped beers, as if they expect over-the-top hops in most American styles, so that your beer MIGHT not score as well as it should. But who knows, it really depends on what judges you get. Here's at least one judge (me) who would judge it by the book, rather than primarily its hoppiness or lack thereof.</slight rant>

Update: Entered it as a NE Brown in the Alpharetta, GA Brewmaster's Open. It took first place! Don't have the scoresheets yet.